From Today On, You're My Little Brother

[Ino Yamanaka: Anko-sis, did you run into Mo Chen?]

[Tenten: That was fast!]

[Karin Uzumaki: How did you do it? Why didn't I get one?]

[Mitaraishi Anko: I did run into Mo Chen. I just showed him a little concern, that's all.]

[Mitaraishi Anko: I feel like I'm stronger than a lot of Jonin now. The effect is incredible!]

[Tenten: The bonus stacks based on your own base stats. The stronger you are to begin with, the stronger you'll be after it stacks.]

[Ino Yamanaka: Just showing concern? I'm skeptical!]

[Karin Uzumaki: Boohoo... I want a buff too. Is it because I haven't expressed my feelings for Mo Chen-kun?]

[Mitaraishi Anko: Judging by how you all got your buffs before, I'm afraid that's exactly it. You can't just care about Mo Chen in your heart—you have to show it. It doesn't matter if you have ulterior motives, either. This group system seems to care about what you do, not what you feel!]

[Tenten: I'm going to be twice as good to Mo Chen from now on. I wonder if I'd level up more if I became his girlfriend?]

[Ino Yamanaka: Mo Chen belongs to all of us. Don't even think about keeping him to yourself!]

[Tenten: Hmph, I never said I wanted him all to myself. I don't mind being one of Mo Chen's many girlfriends. As long as you're all okay with it, I have no objections.]

[Hinata Hyuga:...]

[Karin Uzumaki: Count me in. I don't mind, either.]

[Mitaraishi Anko: Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho! You're all too young to handle him. Leave it to me!]

[Ino Yamanaka:!!!!]

[Tenten:...]

Anko tightened her arms around Mo Chen and grinned.

What did it matter how heatedly the others chatted in the group? Mo Chen was right there in her arms. She had the biggest advantage.

That sudden 200% buff had given Anko a taste of the good life.

As long as she treated Mo Chen well, she'd get an even stronger buff and become more powerful.

If that was the case, why worry about anything else? She could just shower Mo Chen with praise!

With Anko's personality, she was never going to act demure.

If giving herself to him would make her even stronger, she wouldn't hesitate for a second.

"Let's get to know each other. I'm Anko!" Anko took the initiative and said to Mo Chen, "You're so young, yet already quite strong. You stay calm and collected when things happen."

"I'm quite interested in promising young men like you. If you ever run into trouble, feel free to come to me!"

As she spoke, she stuck out her long tongue and licked a circle across Mo Chen's mask.

After all, she was Orochimaru's student, and she'd been influenced by him to some degree.

Mo Chen secretly regretted having to wear a mask.

"My name is Mo Chen. I just graduated from the Ninja Academy!" Mo Chen introduced himself briefly, then pretended to be puzzled. "I don't think we've met before. Why do you think I stay calm when things happen, and that I'm strong?"

Anko chuckled. "Don't underestimate me. I'm a Special Jōnin of Konoha, after all, and my specialty is reconnaissance."

"When the barrier broke just now, I only needed a quick glance at the traces of battle to figure out a lot. The jutsu you used was Wood Release, right? That's why you attracted Root!"

"Root?" Mo Chen asked, pretending he'd never heard of it. "They're part of Konoha, too, right? What kind of organization are they?"

Anko fell silent for a moment, then said, "It's a Konoha secret. Not everyone knows about it, and even those who do don't know much. I only know a little more than most people."

"You're too young for me to tell you about it, normally. But since we've run into each other, I'll tell you so you don't get ambushed later."

The only reason Anko knew a little more about Root than most people was that her teacher, Orochimaru, had once been Danzo's trusted subordinate. She'd picked up bits and pieces just by being around him.

By the time she got to that part, though, Anko had carried Mo Chen to Konoha Hospital, so she didn't continue.

Once they'd taken care of everything, Anko breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. You're just exhausted. You aren't hurt, and you'll be fine after some rest."

Mo Chen was only pretending to be weak. With the immense vitality Wood Release gave him, it was difficult for him to get hurt even if he tried.

He couldn't heal automatically without Hand Seals like Hashirama, but stimulating a wound with Wood Release chakra would accelerate cell regeneration and help it heal quickly.

As for pretending to be weak, as the saying went, the crying baby got the milk. He was doing it to force the Third Hokage to take a stand.

Even if the Third Hokage didn't fall out with Danzo, he'd at least take a much firmer stance when it came to Mo Chen.

"Thank you, Anko-sis!" Mo Chen said gratefully. "I've been an orphan since I was little, and I've never had anyone around to care about me. Not many people would go to so much trouble for my sake."

"Ahaha, you're making me feel awkward. I didn't really do that much!" Anko, who was usually quite carefree, couldn't stand the mood and looked a little embarrassed.

But soon, her eyes lit up.

An orphan since he was little? No one around to care about him?

That was perfect!

"I've decided!" Anko suddenly clapped her hands, excitement on her face. "From today on, you're my little brother. My very own little brother!"

Once she established they were siblings, she could openly spend time with Mo Chen. No one would suspect anything, no matter how well she treated him, and Mo Chen probably wouldn't object, either!

Anko, you're a genius!

"Isn't that... a little much?" Mo Chen knew exactly what Anko was up to, but he didn't mind.

Whether she was his real sister or his adoptive sister didn't matter. He was the one benefiting, either way.

"There's nothing wrong with it. It's settled!" Anko declared, then took advantage of Mo Chen's distraction to snatch off his Anbu mask.

"Well, well, you're a handsome young man. Big Sis really lucked out!" Anko said with a grin. "Now I know your real identity. If you refuse, I'll have broken the rules and get punished!"

"Little Mo Chen, you don't want Big Sis to get punished by the Third Lord over this, do you?"

Anko smiled sweetly as she threatened Mo Chen with a look that could kill.

Mo Chen shivered, silently crying out that he couldn't take it.

Anko-sis, the way you put that makes it really easy to get the wrong idea!

Come to think of it, Mo Chen used to be a nobody in his class, and his looks had been pretty average.

But after gaining Wood Release, he'd used his ability to fabricate the future to refine his aura and adjust his appearance.

He still looked more or less the same, but it was like someone had turned on a beauty filter.

That was why Tenten had blushed and run off after their second sparring match at the training ground.

The details of what happened then were best left unsaid. Not many people would be interested, anyway.

"Little Mo Chen, Little Mo Chen!" Anko nudged him and waved her hand in front of his eyes. "What are you thinking about? You just spaced out! If you don't agree, I'll have to force you!"

Seeing Anko's mischievous grin, Mo Chen couldn't help laughing. He put on a defeated expression and said, "I get it, I get it, Anko-sis!"

"Haha, that's a good boy!" Anko planted a hard kiss on Mo Chen's cheek.